Brothers from Washington Township happy to help charity by participating in bachelor auction

View full sizePhotos providedDavid and Jeff Smith, of Washington Township, were asked to participate in the Gloucester County's Most Eligible Bachelor Auction. Jeff, above, was excited, while his more "laid-back" brother David, initially declined the offer. The auction will be held on May 22 at the Glassboro VFW on Wilmer Street in Glassboro.

The Smith brothers, David and Jeff, of Washington Township, are just as different as they are alike.

They both work for the family business, Peach Country Tractor, they both attended East Strousburg University and they are both life-long bachelors.

However, their personalities do differ slightly.

When the brothers were asked to participate in the Gloucester County’s Most Eligible Bachelor Auction, Jeff was excited, while his more “laid-back” brother David initially declined the offer.

“When I was asked to participate, I was ecstatic,” Jeff said. “It sounded like a really good cause and I jumped at the chance to help.”

David, on the other hand, who was asked by a family friend to be a part of the auction, said “no,” because he thought he would be too uncomfortable.

“But after giving it some thought, I decided to help out because it’s for charity,” David said.

Hosted by the Women of Gloucester County organization, the auction will raise money for the county’s People for People Foundation — an organization that provides grants, case management and advocacy for thousands of people in their time of need.

“We help the normally self sufficient in finding help and services when faced with a family crisis such as loss of a job, reduced hours, illness or death in the family or other family emergencies,” said Bernadette Blackstock, founder and executive director of People for People Foundation of Gloucester County.

“My ultimate goal in participating is helping children,” Jeff said. “That’s what life is about — helping others. But, of course, if I end up meeting Mrs. Right, that would just be icing on the cake.”

While his brother David was uncertain at first, he agrees whole heartedly with Jeff about the importance of helping the Foundation, and is beginning to warm up to the thought of being auctioned off.

“I’m looking forward to it, in a way, because I’ve never done anything like this before,” David said. “I’m interested in seeing how it turns out.”

David hopes to someday find a woman who is honest, fun-loving, outgoing and down to Earth, and Jeff hopes to find someone who he can also think of as a friend.

“My perfect companion would be my best friend. Someone that would be there to lean on through all of life’s ups and downs,” Jeff said.

Even though he knows it sounds cliché, Jeff said he really would enjoy a long walk on the beach as a first date.

“But if the weather wasn’t right for that, cooking dinner for my girl and sitting in watching movies would be perfectly all right with me,” he said.

David would rather wait to meet his companion before planning the perfect outing.

“I think a first date depends more on who you’re with, not what you do,” he said.

On May 22, both brothers will have a first date with lucky winners over dessert.

“The ladies who win each bachelor will have dessert with her bachelor that night at the event,” Blackstock said. “And each lady will receive a gift basket.”

The bachelor who raises the most money through bids during the live auction will win a recliner from Robert Starr Furniture in Mullica Hill, and the bachelor who receives the most online votes will be named Gloucester County’s Most Eligible Bachelor and receive a plaque indicating his title.

Online voting has been ongoing since the beginning of April at the Women of Gloucester County website and, combined, the 12 bachelors have received more than 2,200 votes.

As a side fundraiser, each bachelor sat for a photo shoot and the 12 handsome men will be put into a calendar which can be purchased at the auction and after.

“The event is a lot of fun,” Blackstock said.

In addition to dinner and the auction, entertainment will be provided by “Roundboy” Jimmy Graham, a native Pitman resident and comedian, and wine will be provided by Heritage Vineyards and Winery.

The auction will be held on May 22 at the Glassboro VFW on Wilmer Street in Glassboro. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the auction begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go to the People to People Foundation of Gloucester County.